The effect of an AFO-shaped elastic band on drop-foot gait in patients with central neurological lesions.

We investigated the effectiveness of an AFO-shaped band as an assistive walking device in patients with neurological lesions. The participants included 11 patients with a recent history of a CVA and one multiple sclerosis patient. In each patient, the order of conditions (AFO, AFO-shaped band, barefoot) was randomized. Participants were required to walk on the GAITRite mat twice during each condition. The average gait velocity among patients using the AFO-shaped elastic band was significantly higher than those under barefoot conditions (p = 0.015). Participants using the AFO-shaped elastic band also showed a significantly higher average number of steps per minute (cadence) as compared with the barefoot and AFO conditions (p = 0.007). Significant differences in stride length on the unaffected side were found between the AFO-shaped band and barefoot conditions (p = 0.029). Our results indicated that the AFO-shaped elastic band could be useful for patients with central neurological lesions with respect to gait, especially walking velocity, cadence, and stride length on the affected side. Thus, the AFO-shaped elastic band could be a practical tool for clinicians to train patients with central neurological lesions to walk.